The candidate filing period for the May 12, 2026, Primary Election wrapped up over the weekend, with the final day to file Saturday, Jan. 31.
Upshur County will see several competitive races, including Upshur County Commission, where three men are competing for one seat, and Board of Education, where five candidates seek the three open seats.
While Randy Sanders will be unopposed for City Recorder, the council race attracted no fewer than 13 candidates for the two open seats.
With one exception, the local State Senate and House of Representatives races will all be contested as well, either in the Primary or General Election.
Also of note is that across the local races, every incumbent is running for re-election.
While some late entries postmarked by the deadline are possible, here are the latest filings for the Upshur County and City of Buckhannon offices up for election:
Upshur County Commissioner
- Doug Bush (Republican)
- Patrick Lane (Republican)
- Scott Williams (Republican)
Upshur County Board of Education (Non-Partisan – 3 seats)
- Jan Craig (District 1)
- Sherry Dean (District 2)
- Danny Marple (District 2)
- Wayne Mills (District 3)
- Roy Wager (District 1)
Buckhannon City Recorder (Non-Partisan)
- Randy Sanders
Buckhannon City Council (Non-Partisan – 2 seats)
- Jerry Cochran Sr.
- Joshua Hinchman
- Greg Kelley
- Matthew Kerner
- Robert Osburn
- Scott Preston
- Scott Randall
- Robyn Riggs-Simons
- Keith Rowan
- B.J. Teets
- Jim Valenson
- Abigail Wiernik
- Shawn Young
Conservation District Supervisor (Non-Partisan)
- Donnie Tenney
West Virginia State Senate (11th District)
- Kevin Carpenter (Democrat)
- Mira Tanner-Hughes (Democrat)
- Bill Hamilton (Republican)
- Robert Karnes (Republican)
- Jack Reger (Republican)
West Virginia House of Delegates (64th District)
- Adam Burkhammer (Republican)
West Virginia House of Delegates (65th District)
- Mira Tanner-Hughes (Democrat)
- Carl ‘Robbie’ Martin (Republican)
West Virginia House of Delegates (68th District)
- David Critchfield (Republican)
- Chris Phillips (Republican)
- Tyler Williams (Republican)
For more details about the local election, visit the Upshur County Clerk’s Office website. For more information on elections in West Virginia — including how to register to vote, vote absentee, or update your voter registration — visit GoVoteWV.com.
All information provided by the Upshur County Clerk’s Office, the City of Buckhannon, and the West Virginia Secretary of State.
